LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Both CBS and the CW confirmed the bulk of their renewals and cancellations today as upfront week kicked into high gear.
Various sources have indicated the Eye has given firm go-aheads to 12 series - "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami," "CSI: NY," "Ghost Whisperer," "How I Met Your Mother," "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "Rules of Engagement," "Shark," "The Unit," "Criminal Minds," "NUMB3RS" and "NCIS." - while "48 Hours Mystery," "60 Minutes," "The Amazing Race," "Cold Case," "Two and a Half Men" and "Without a Trace" are also expected to return.
Not making the cut: freshman drama "Jericho" as well as longshots "Close to Home" and "The Class."
Over on the CW, renewals have been issued to its signature reality series "America's Next Top Model," Monday comedies "Girlfriends" and "The Game," as well as dramas "Smallville," "Supernatural" and "One Tree Hill."
Also on track to return: "WWE Smackdown," "Beauty and the Geek" and potentially "Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll" should a second season format be worked out.
On the flip side, veteran comedy "All of Us" won't be returning for a fifth season while "Veronica Mars" is drifting towards cancellation as well.
As for its 2007-2008 freshman class, the netlet has confirmed three dramas - Josh Schwartz's "Gossip Girl," the Kevin Smith-helmed "Reaper" and U.K. import "Wild at Heart" - as well as one comedy - "Aliens in America," now a co-production of Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television - have been given series orders.
In addition, the CW is expected to move forward with its alternative half-hours "CW Now," an "Entertainment Tonight"-esque look at pop culture, and "Online Nation" (previously known as "Viewsers"), an "America's Funniest Home Videos"-esque series for the YouTube generation.
Meanwhile over on FOX, the network has locked in "24" for two more seasons. The veteran drama had been widely expected to return despite a downtrend in its ratings and critical praise.
Series star Kiefer Sutherland is also set to return for both go-arounds as part of his multi-year production deal with producer 20th Century Fox Television.
|